[WATCH] Chris Said proposes wage for grandparents who take care of children

Chris Said proposes wage for grandparents who take care of children. (Photo: James Bianchi/MediaToday)

Chris Said proposes wage for grandparents who take care of children

PN MP Chris Said has proposed a new government measure which will pay grandparents who take care of their nephews and nieces.

“Grandparents give their all to families, and deserve some financial help from the government,” the PN leader contender said, addressing a press conference this morning.

Said said that a large number of elderly people are barely getting by, with some living in poverty or risking poverty unless they tap into family resources. "To top it off, current system considers pensioners to be a financial burden on society," he added.

The MP thus proposed abolishing taxes on pensions, arguing that this “would allow pensioners to live with the dignity they deserve”.

Said also suggested that all medicine over the counter should also be given for free and that those over 65 be given the opportunity to continue working with a new scheme which will allow pensioners to find jobs within the public sector. JobsPlus, the government’s online job-seeking portal, will also include “a new section that will help elderly find a job appropriate to their expertise”.

The PN leadership contender additionally put forward propositions to revamp home help services and homes for the elderly: “The standards in which elderly people are living are too low and need to be reassessed so that pensioners are given the best services possible”.

Said on increase in gas prices

Said expressed his disappointment over the recent increase in gas cylinder prices. “The government is showing its insensitivity towards those who need help. PL is trying to compensate for the expansion of social welfare measures by inflating gas prices, food prices and rent," the MP said.

Last week, the regulator for Energy and Water Services announced that the price of 12kg gas cylinders would rise by €1, bringing the total to €15.50, as a result of the increase in the international prices of liquefied petroleum gas.

Said on PL’s allegations against his brothers

Asked by MaltaToday about the PL’s allegations that two of his brothers awarded 139 jobs to their other brother, while serving as mayors of Nadur in Gozo between 2013 and April last year, Said stated that he was “never involved in what my brothers did”.

On July 20, an Auditor General report revealed that Said was implicated in decisions on the allocation of funds for local councils while serving as parliamentary secretary under the previous administration.